Life Stories (poems)

Despite everything that has happened this last year, I still believe that a democratic Government’s responsibility is to make the best decisions they know how, in the best interests of their citizens.

The demented behavior of the unelected May Government must surely be a blip – a temporary knee-jerk reaction to fear, ignorance and short-termism, spurred on by right-wing media and extremists. Surely they will come to their senses and realise that they have a responsibility to go above and beyond the petty, punitive stance of “well you said you wanted it, now you have to live with the consequences!”

But just in case they don’t, I call on the European Union, and all the democratically elected Governments of our European colleagues, to do everything they can to protect the British people from the madness of Brexit. I call to mind all children, and parents of those children, who ever shouted “I hate you!” but didn’t really mean it, or understand what the consequences would be if their parents took them at their word.

Will the European Union stand in ‘loco parentis’, and rise above the petulance of our British Government and the tantrums of a few, and do what is best, in the long-term interests of the majority?

No words tonight
To describe our sadness and our grief
Not even douleur is right
No words enough to convey the horror and distaste
For thugs who, in misguided belief
Use the pretence of god, to hate
And through vile acts impose their will
No thought for the innocents they
Subjugate and maim and kill
No words to convey how much I detest
Blind faith, the root of all evil
Where should be love, and compassion and respect
No words enough to express our sympathy
To our brothers and sisters in Paris
A minute’s silence to show our solidarity
No Prayers – the world has heard enough of religion

“A boy’s own adventure – Sailing round the world To visit rare islands and creatures And people from different cultures To have some fun, While I’m free and young”

“I miss my boy, my joy and pride,
18 months he’s been away,
out of touch for weeks at sea.
a map and pen to work out where.
And now he’s reached the other side
maybe we can visit him there”

He’s hatched a plan to catch a plane. 24 hours he flies for a birthday surprise. Sshh! keep Mumand tell no-one. Countless times we lied the secret to hide, and all worthwhile for hugs, and smiles and tears of unexpected joy, and see my sister hold her boy.

I do believe in intuition
A week’s schedule of meetings, appointments and interviews. A tidy plan
Suddenly doesn’t feel right
There’s something else, something urgent, something urging
Me to be somewhere else tonight.
Its time to go.

One by one we all arrive,
And soon we’re all here
We don’t want to think it, can’t acknowledge it, daren’t speak it
But even so, it becomes clear
It’s time to say goodbye.

This is the day
The last day we will all be together
To support each other
To say it’s OK to leave
Its OK to grieve
Its time to go.

Its not luck, nor fate, that brings us here
But love and fortune. A privilege to share
One final moment
A wonderful, terrible, aweful
Unique moment in time
Time to say goodbye.

In deciding whether to vote for Scottish independence,
Please pay no heed
To the politicians and the media
Peddling their own dogmatic stance.
This is a decision for the heart and common sense.

We are family, with a long shared heritage;
Like step-brothers with mixed parentage.
We’ve had our fights, against and for each other;
I stole and ruined things that were yours
So I don’t blame you for going your own way – you have just cause.

But can we leave our chequered past behind?
And rise to meet economic and environmental challenges, our resources combined
Our commonwealth – together we are both great and British
Without you I am only England, and so diminished –
As much as I love my green and pleasant land,
There’s a northern flower I admire and cherish.

So while you’re deciding whether to vote yes or no
Please bear in mind that your brothers and sisters don’t want you to go.